Build Thread: 2015 BMW M3 (Lots of Photos & Videos!)
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I know at some point they removed the carbon driveshaft to fit it with steel or aluminum in order to avoid covid-19. I wasn't sure if that was a U.S. thing or not.
Fixed that for you.
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The M3 got it's first modification! I couldn't stand the wheel gap these cars have from the factory, especially in the front. So I combed through forums and Facebook groups to find what my best option was for lowering the car.
My goal: eliminate wheel gap and retain comfortable ride quality without spending thousands of dollars.
I narrowed it down to Emmanuele Design lowering springs. I could go on and on about why I bought these lowering springs instead of others, or even coilovers. But I don't want to clutter up my build thread, so I wrote a dedicated blog post about them. The Best Lowering Springs for BMW F8X: EMD Auto Review.
Brief summary:
- Ride quality remains the same or better than stock.
- Compatible with both standard and adaptive suspension.
- Engineered specifically for stock shocks to avoid premature failure.
- Perfect stance, lowering the front 1.3″ and the rear 0.3 – 0.9″.
- Linear spring rate, similar to stock springs.
- Made in the USA.
- Affordable at $300-350!
I got around to installing them a few days ago. The process was way easier than I thought... so easy that most of you could do it at home! I took photos and video of the whole process and created a comprehensive installation guide. The guide is too long to post here, but I shared it on my F80 blog. If you want to lower your F8X and save money by doing this job yourself, check it out: How To Install Lowering Springs in Your BMW F80 M3 or F82 M4.
Wrapped it up with a proper 4-wheel alignment.
Before - front:
After - front:
Before - rear:
After - rear:
Let me know what you think
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Looks good! Did you do spacers to?
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Much better! So in the front I see that the struts are mounted like an e39 where you loosen the pinch bolt and then slide the strut up. On this is there enough clearance to flop it out of the wheel well without loosening other stuff? The e39 you have to disassemble more stuff to be able to tip it out of the wheel well and actually slide the strut out.
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Much better! So in the front I see that the struts are mounted like an e39 where you loosen the pinch bolt and then slide the strut up. On this is there enough clearance to flop it out of the wheel well without loosening other stuff? The e39 you have to disassemble more stuff to be able to tip it out of the wheel well and actually slide the strut out.
In my experience all that's needed to disconnect on the e39, e9x, f3x/f8x, etc. is the sway bar link and height sensor to get enough movement to swing it out.
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Thanks everyone!
Im shocked that there is so much wheel gap on a modern sports car. I never really noticed!
I know! You don't really notice it until you focus on the fender/wheel gap in the front. The bumper still sits low, which might give it an illusion.
Looks good! Did you do spacers to?
Thanks! No spacers yet, but I'm thinking ~15mm all around.
Much better! So in the front I see that the struts are mounted like an e39 where you loosen the pinch bolt and then slide the strut up. On this is there enough clearance to flop it out of the wheel well without loosening other stuff? The e39 you have to disassemble more stuff to be able to tip it out of the wheel well and actually slide the strut out.
I think all BMWs use that pinch bolt which clamps the strut in. But yes, you're able to just swing it out without disconnecting anything but the sway bar end link. The top of the strut is very close to hitting the fender, but you can compress it with your hands. Makes it so much easier than removing the whole strut!
Could use some Alzor wheels.
Looks good though. Wheres all the other goodies?
LOL @ the Alzor wheels. Unfortunately 19's and 20's are fricken expensive, and I have expensive taste, so wheels won't be cheap. Would love a set of HRE's...
Other goodies are still in the garage, waiting to find time to install/film everything.
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Thanks everyone!
I know! You don't really notice it until you focus on the fender/wheel gap in the front. The bumper still sits low, which might give it an illusion.
Thanks! No spacers yet, but I'm thinking ~15mm all around.
I think all BMWs use that pinch bolt which clamps the strut in. But yes, you're able to just swing it out without disconnecting anything but the sway bar end link. The top of the strut is very close to hitting the fender, but you can compress it with your hands. Makes it so much easier than removing the whole strut!
LOL @ the Alzor wheels. Unfortunately 19's and 20's are fricken expensive, and I have expensive taste, so wheels won't be cheap. Would love a set of HRE's...
Other goodies are still in the garage, waiting to find time to install/film everything.
If you need a second shooter, lmk. Can’t really do anything on my own car at the moment.
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LOL @ the Alzor wheels. Unfortunately 19's and 20's are fricken expensive, and I have expensive taste, so wheels won't be cheap. Would love a set of HRE's...
Other goodies are still in the garage, waiting to find time to install/film everything.
Pony up an be just like @pynacl
There is a guy on instagram selling HRE p40s for 1600$
His @ on instagram is Nickraft
1600$ for HREs is an incredible deal.
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I think all BMWs use that pinch bolt which clamps the strut in. But yes, you're able to just swing it out without disconnecting anything but the sway bar end link. The top of the strut is very close to hitting the fender, but you can compress it with your hands. Makes it so much easier than removing the whole strut!
E36 has 3 bolts to attach the strut to the spindle. Only advantage to that is arguably janky camber adjustment using shims on the lower bolts to add negative camber. The pinch style is nice because it perfectly goes back into place after disassembly.
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Pony up an be just like @pynacl
There is a guy on instagram selling HRE p40s for 1600$
His @ on instagram is Nickraft
1600$ for HREs is an incredible deal.
Blast from the past. I remember following this dude a long time ago. Had the super wide steel blue matte wrapped E46 for the longest time.
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Blast from the past. I remember following this dude a long time ago. Had the super wide steel blue matte wrapped E46 for the longest time.
He has had a few VERY nice builds!
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Looks good
Big fan of properly matched lowering springs on modern cars. Convinced gf to go that route on her current evo x, drives a million times nicer than her last evo x that was on OTS fortune coil overs.
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After lots of research and debating, I got some 20" wheels! I was torn on everything between 18", 19" and 20". Part of me wanted an 18" setup for the track and to get traction on the street, but this is my daily. So I opted for some 20's because I think they fill out the wheel wells better than 19's.
I reached out to Variant Wheels after watching a fellow YouTuber install a set of their wheels. They hooked me up and gave me a discount code to share with you guys if you're interested in purchasing a set of wheels from them (see below)! They have a few off-the-shelf options and allow as much customization as you'd like when it comes to size, offset and color and design.
I chose their machine silver "Argon" wheel in 20x10" and 20x11" I let them choose the offset, but it seems like they recommend ET20 in the front and ET35 in the rear for a flush F8X fitment.
WHEELS:
- Variant Argon wheels: https://variantwheels.com/product-category/wheels/argon/affiliate/jakespence
- Other Variant wheels for your BMW: https://variantwheels.com/cold-forged/affiliate/jakespence
- Use code BIMMERSTREET for 20% off and free shipping!TIRES (currently on sale!):
- 265/30/20 Falken Azenis FK510: https://amzn.to/2ZLOqiH
- 295/30/20 Falken Azenis FK510: https://amzn.to/2XGVnP4Check out my unboxing and test-fit video:
Here are some photos of the wheels to hold you over until the tires show up.
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The tires showed up and I mounted them right away! I am thoroughly impressed with the Falken Azenis FK510 tires. Tread pattern is extremely similar to Michelin Pilot Super Sport and the grip is actually better. Not an apples-to-apples comparison because the MPSS tires weren't new and were narrower, but the Azenis are super grippy! Very happy with the look, feel and sound of these tires.
The fitment is perfect IMO. I have since raised the rear by installing the EMD rear spring spacer that I initially left out when installing the lowering springs. It now sits about 1/2" higher than in the video and photos below... will get some updated pictures of that soon. It didn't really rub, but I wanted the extra clearance for when I have a full tank of gas and 5 passengers.
Let me know what you think!
Reminder of the wheel/tire info...
WHEELS:
- Variant Argon wheels: https://variantwheels.com/product-category/wheels/argon/affiliate/jakespence
- Other Variant wheels for your BMW: https://variantwheels.com/cold-forged/affiliate/jakespence
- Use code BIMMERSTREET for 20% off and free shipping!TIRES (currently on sale!):
- 265/30/20 Falken Azenis FK510: https://amzn.to/2ZLOqiH
- 295/30/20 Falken Azenis FK510: https://amzn.to/2XGVnP4Check out my initial impressions video (ignore the clickbaity thumbnail):
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Nice work incorporating some of that new A-town "street art". I was like "who paid for all of this shit?" when I walked through there a couple weeks ago. Like they're trying to make Appleton into some cultural hub or something. Is mile-of-music even happening this year?
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